The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) is an important partner with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) to help improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities. BRS administers the Title I Vocational Rehabilitation and Title VI Supported Employment programs of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, that mandates employment services for people with disabilities. This act is the federal law that requires each designated state agency (BRS in Connecticut) to work closely with its SRC in developing the State Plan, strategic plans, reports, and state goals and priorities and in conducting needs assessment and evaluations.

The SRC is comprised of persons who want to work with BRS to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities. SRC members provide advice and guidance to BRS (in formal and informal ways) so that persons with disabilities have a voice in planning and designing the services that lead toward self-sufficiency and independence. Any individual willing to commit to working with BRS may seek an appointment to become a part of the SRC. The Governor appoints members to the SRC following an application process.

Mission The State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) provides assessment, advice and recommendations to the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) and others regarding coordination and effectiveness of programs and strategies which promote community-based competitive employment for persons with disabilities.

Goal The State Rehabilitation Council will:• assess the effectiveness and delivery of vocational services provided by BRS to individuals with disabilities;• strive to improve the coordination of vocational services among BRS, the state agencies and public and private entities for the benefit of consumers of BRS.• make recommendations to the Governor, BRS and others for developing and improving strategies for the employment and vocational services for individuals with disabilities.

MembershipMembers are appointed by the Governor for a term of three years; each member may serve no more than two consecutive terms.

Per Section 105 of the Rehab Act of 1973, as Amended, the SRC needs to have specific representatives of the following groups:

A majority of the members of the Council must have physical and/or mental disabilities. Members are provided with accommodations for meetings and are reimbursed for travel expenses to and from meetings and for the use of personal care attendants that enable participation in the meetings.

MeetingsThe SRC rotates meeting locations around the state approximately six times per year. These meetings generally run about three hours on Wednesday afternoons. Members are asked to join at least one subcommittee that will meet prior to the full meeting and as needed at other times to achieve goals. Standing subcommittees include Business Partnership; Consumer Satisfaction, Inter-council Coordination/Nominations; and Legislation, Policy, and Planning. Members are also asked to attend at least one BRS Public Meeting; generally held early evenings.

Value of SRC ParticipationMembership on the SRC gives you an opportunity to voice your opinions about policies and procedures that affect BRS consumers and service providers. The SRC works with BRS to improve the vocational rehabilitation and supported employment process.

If you are interested in being appointed to membership on the SRC or you would like to nominate someone to be appointed, please review therecruitment information and application. Please follow the instructions as listed on the application to submit the application.

Consumer Feedback to the SRCIf you are a BRS consumer and would like to share your thoughts about BRS with the SRC, please submit your general comments about the VR program.

Consumers, family members and others interested in the VR program may also attend SRC meetings to gain information or to share feedback. Please contact the SRC Liaison to register your attendance at an SRC meeting.

TrainingNew members to the SRC receive internal training to help prepare them to fulfill their membership duties. RSA provides an online training tool to ensure that all SRC members are equipped with information to help them understand the role of SRCs and how to interact with vocational rehabilitation programs.